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COVID: Singapore’s Stabilisation Phase measures extended to 21 Nov – MTF

SINGAPORE — Singapore will extend the safe management measures under the Stabilisation Phase by another four weeks from 25 October 2021 through 21 November 2021, the COVID multi-ministry taskforce (MTF) said on Wednesday (20 October).

The Phase, which began on 27 September, was originally slated to end this Sunday.

“Unfortunately, given the continuing pressures on our healthcare system, more time is needed for the situation to stabilise...We will review the measures at the two-week mark and adjust these based on the community situation then,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

Among the safe management measures previously introduced under the Phase, Singapore returned to a two-person dining-in rule for a period of four weeks from 27 September, as it aimed to slow down community COVID-19 transmission.

The MTF announced last month that groups of up to two persons are allowed to dine-in at certain food & beverage establishments, if all the diners are fully vaccinated. This was a reduction from the previous limit of five persons for dine-in.

Over the past four weeks, the authorities have set up more COVID-19 Treatment Facilities and made improvements in the Home Recovery Programme.

They also simplified the healthcare protocols, allowing individuals with mild or no symptoms to self-isolate early and recover at home. This has allowed hospital capacity to be reserved for the vulnerable.

$640 million support measures

The government will extend $640 million of support measures to tide affected businesses and individuals over the extended Stabilisation Phase.

Among them, the government will extend the Jobs Support Scheme support at 25 per cent for sectors significantly affected by the continuing tightened measures such as food and beverage, retail, tourism, gyms and performing arts.

The government will provide a 0.5 month rental waiver for qualifying tenants on government-owned commercial properties. Qualifying tenants and owners of privately-owned commercial properties will also be given a 0.5 month rental relief cash payout under the Rental Support Scheme.

Cooked food and market stallholders in centres run by the National Environment Agency (NEA) or NEA-appointed operators will receive a 0.5 month rental waiver.

The COVID-19 Driver Relief Fund payout for taxi and private hire car drivers will be extended at $10 and $5 per vehicle per day in November and December respectively.

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